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Autonomous barge is dubbed the ‘Tesla of Canals’

01 February 2018

Port-Liner has launched an electric, emission-free barge that will connect the ports of Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam this summer.

Able to run entirely without a crew, although it will still be manned when first deployed, the barge can handle 24 to 280 containers. It works using sophisticated battery technology that is charged using carbon-free energy. It’s expected to remove around 23,000 trucks from the road annually.

Chief Executive of Port-Liner, Ton van Meegan told The Loadstar “the barges would be the first in the world to sail on carbon-neutral batteries.” He also noted that, because the battery system can be housed on any vessel “this allows us to retrofit barges already in operation, which is a big boost for the industry’s green energy credentials.”